The North Central Region is leading an effort to review, refresh, and revise a set of impact indicators that serve as the foundation for highlighting the impact and public value of Extension Community, Resource, and Economic Development (CRED) work nationally. With the support of the North Central Cooperative Extension Association (NCCEA), the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC), and the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD), a plan for reviewing the indicators on a national level began in April/May with a national survey and webinar.
Following these initial efforts, Community Development Extension representatives from across the United States came together May 13-14, 2024, for the Community Development Extension Impact Retreat at the Red Lake Nation College site in Minneapolis, MN. This retreat aimed to create new and improved ways for 1862, 1890, and 1994 land-grant institutions to expand the reach of their impact stories in inclusive and culturally relevant ways. Photo above: Impact Retreat attendees listen as Sarah Rocker, National Program Leader, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, (on the monitor) addresses the group.
A post-Impact Retreat survey was conducted by the NCRCRD/SRDC to provide a venue for additional input on the proposed indicators. Michael Wilcox (NCRCRD and Purdue Extension), Anne Silvis (University of Illinois Extension), and Stacey McCullough (University of Arkansas Extension) shared all of the findings gathered from this endeavor at the National Community Development Program Leaders meeting held at the 2024 NACDEP Conference on June 17 in Houston, TX.
A copy of the presentation and proposed indicators are now available for download. Program Leaders are meeting in July and August to determine the next steps.
Once agreed and finalized, the group will share the new quantitative and qualitative indicators and work toward their adoption across the country to elevate the impact of CD Extension.
Resources:
- Copy of NACDEP presentation
- Proposed Indicators as of 7/18/24
- Webinar Recording: Extension CRED Impact Indicators – Review, Refresh, Revise (5/2/24)
- Past Impact Reports:
- National CRED Indicators Team Resources